Wine

lijparsons
lijparsons Posts: 258
edited September 26 in Food and Nutrition
Ahhh, wine....the love of my life. Well, after my husband and kids, of course. ;) I just started getting serious about losing weight last Thursday, and started on MFP at that time. So far, I have lost 4 lbs. Not bad, I think. Last weekend, I did not have any wine because I had just started, and was really trying to get a handle on the calories, and how 1200 would really look to me. Now, fast forward to THIS weekend, and I would loooove to buy a bottle of wine on my way home from work today. My husband doesn't like wine, so whenever I open a bottle, it is up to me to finish it, and it usually lasts me the weekend, as I really only have a glass, maybe 2, on Friday and Saturday night and would finish up any that is left on Sunday with dinner. My dilemma is, it has now become apparent to me that this kind of "empty calories" is probably not a good thing, and it feels like a waste of calories, when I only have 1200 to work with in a day. I am doing the 30 day Shred, and tonight will be day 3 of that, but I still have it in my head that I can't justify the extra empty calories.

The big picture is, a whole bottle of white wine is, give or take, 650 calories. Divide that by 3 days, and that's an extra 216 each day. Am I overreacting? Should I listen to my heart, and just go for it? Or should I listen to my waistline, and abstain?

Lisa

Replies

  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    I still drink wine. On the days I do, I will eat 1200 calories plus drink the wine. I just make sure I exercise a little harder and keep the calories below what would be considered my "maintenance level," e.g. not gaining weight but not losing either. I have done this since I have been on MFP and still lose on average 1.5 lbs/week. For me it isn't sustainable to completely cut out wine because that isn't how I live my life. You have to find ways to incorporate whatever treats/empty calories you enjoy. For some people, it is eating a cookie or two a couple times a week. For me it is wine. :bigsmile:
  • anzura
    anzura Posts: 171
    Why EAT back your exercise calories when you can DRINK them back :wink:
  • MsLilly200
    MsLilly200 Posts: 192 Member
    I'd say don't do it... But then, I don't like wine and I don't get people who do.

    It's all up to you really. The question is, do you think it's worth those calories? If so, go ahead! If not, don't.
  • VickiMitkins
    VickiMitkins Posts: 249 Member
    Why EAT back your exercise calories when you can DRINK them back :wink:
    I could not have said it better myself. I have one 4oz glass of wine most nights. Sometimes a bit more on Friday and Saturday. I could not do this and give up everything. I chose to keep the wine and skip sweets. :wink:
  • 36jessica
    36jessica Posts: 319 Member
    I factor it in with the calories I have to eat back from working out and things seem to be working out pretty well.:smile:
  • Kate48230
    Kate48230 Posts: 35 Member
    Don't deprive yourself! I know that, for me, if I tell myself I can't have something because I am dieting then all I think about is the thing I am trying not to have.

    Do a little extra exercise, save up the calories, have your wine and feel like you are rewarding yourself for having a good day. You will have something to look forward to having when you have entered all of your food in your log.

    I think I scared my kids and hubby when, a few days ago after logging in my dinner, I jumped up from the computer, which is in the dining room, clapped my hands, punched the air with my fists and yelled "yay, I have enough left over to have another glass of wine!"
  • aamb
    aamb Posts: 377 Member
    lol... i walk a little bit longer or dance around like a looney so i can have my daily treat... one glass of 'something' every evening to wind down the day. i have lost 13 lbs in 4 weeks
  • authson
    authson Posts: 233
    I have lost 23 pounds in 1 and a 1/2 months and still enjoy my red wine on the weekends if I still have the calories left.
  • alexbowser
    alexbowser Posts: 322
    Maybe have a bottle of wine every other weekend, compromise a little, but don't deprive yourself.
  • igor11
    igor11 Posts: 23 Member
    a good idea would be to get a wine preserver. That way you don't have to drink the whole bottle in just 3 days. And you can have less which will total to fewer empty calories in the day. I have one, so i'm never worried about drinking my wine fast enough. I also enjoy a glass on the weekends too
  • Kate48230
    Kate48230 Posts: 35 Member
    Wow, 13 in 4? That is great- maybe it is the wine that is speeding the weight loss? Yeah, thats the ticket!
  • anzura
    anzura Posts: 171
    I think I scared my kids and hubby when, a few days ago after logging in my dinner, I jumped up from the computer, which is in the dining room, clapped my hands, punched the air with my fists and yelled "yay, I have enough left over to have another glass of wine!"

    Testify!!! I do the same thing :laugh: It's what keeps me going on my long runs. I know I'm burning a **** load of calories and I see the wine (or beer) at the end of the tunnel.
  • bexfield
    bexfield Posts: 21
    Hi there, I think like others have said moderation and averages are the answer to this. I'm new to this site, but I've lost 8 pounds this year so far and I've still had beer, wine, and liquor in that time. However, I've worked out on average 4 days a week and only had about a couple of drinks per week (less some weeks, more others). Like others have said I think it comes down to if you can average those calories out, it's like balancing a budget. But also, it's important to think about whether you are trying to lose weight fast or make a lifestyle change. If you are going more for a sustainable lifestyle choice and truly love wine, then abstaining completely may not be the best choice, but maybe cutting what you normally drink in half is the key. I've had the same dilemma with chocolate, which I decided to switch to dark chocolate because I don't like it as much so I won't eat as much :). Good luck!
  • shesnotthere
    shesnotthere Posts: 117
    Well, I've found that I can stretch a bottle much further since I am drinking it less often, so there is that too. What I mean is that one glass makes me tipsy since I hardly drink anymore and my tolerance is lower now. I like the idea of every other weekend, or stretching a bottle out over two weekends. I wouldn't totally deprive yourself because then you will just end up slipping up. Or I would, I don't know about you.

    Also, many studies have come out saying that RED wine is good for you, in moderation. I know white wine drinkers often don't want to switch to red, but it's something to consider. Now if only beer was healthy...
  • DaisyBayberry
    DaisyBayberry Posts: 50
    Of course beer is healthy. In moderation, of course! :drinker:
  • dmanakho
    dmanakho Posts: 143 Member
    going to have a glass of wine tonight... Long week. I deserved it.
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